Biolegend, 695454, Ultra-LEAF™ Purified anti-human GDF-15 Antibody

GDF-15 is a member of the TGF-β superfamily. GDF-15 is expressed as a 308 amino acid precursor that includes a signal peptide, a pro-domain, and a 112 residue mature protein. The secreted pro-domain binds to the extracellular matrix, where it can be activated by multiple enzymes such as furin (PCSK3), PCSK5, PCSK6, MMP-26, and MT1-MMP. GDF-15 is mainly expressed in placenta and prostate. Its expression is low in other tissues such as kidney, bladder, stomach, pancreas, liver, and gall bladder. GDF-15 is highly expressed in cancer cells with high levels detected in serum of cancer patients. GDF-15 has an important role in metabolic syndrome. GDF-15 transgenic mice present a lean phenotype. Furthermore, GDF-15 affects the macrophages in adipose tissue.  Lean adipose tissue is characterized by the presence of anti-inflammatory M2-like macrophages. In obese individuals, adipose tissue show presence of CD8 effector cells and recruitment of inflammatory M1 macrophages. The increase of M1 macrophages over M2 results in metabolic changes, increase of TNFα, induction of glucose intolerance, and insulin insensitivity. GDF-15 binds to the GDNF receptor family member alpha like (GFRAL) which interacts with the co-receptor RET.